Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Lamoine Man Arrested on Active Warrant
(Lamoine) Authorities located and arrested a Lamoine man Monday for an active warrant. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports to Star 97.7, 30 yo Cory McMillan was found on the Bar Harbor Road in Trenton shortly after 9 p.m.. When located, McMillan reportedly fled into the woods, but was taken into custody following a brief foot pursuit. In addition to the warrant, McMillan is charged with refusing to submit to detention or arrest and violating bail conditions.
(Lamoine) A Lamoine man faces multiple charges after he attempted to flee authorities on Monday. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office tells Star 97.7, 30 yo Cory McMillan was wanted on an active warrant. He was located shortly after 9 p.m. on the Bar Harbor Road in Trenton but fled into nearby woods. McMillan was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit. In addition to the warrant, McMillan is charged with refusing to submit to detention or arrest and violating bail conditions.
Trenton Arrest
(Trenton) A Trenton man is being held in the Hancock County Jail following his arrest on Monday. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office tells Star 97.7, 27 yo Jonathan Sprague had two active warrants for his arrest. He was found at his Trenton residence about 9:30 p.m. on Veterans Day and was taken to the jail without incident.
(Trenton) Deputies with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Trenton man Monday who they say had two active warrants. HCSO reports to Star 97.7, 27 yo Jonathan Sprague was found at his residence in Trenton about 9:30 p.m. and was transported to the jail without incident.
Operation Game Theme Offers Reward for Illegal Killing of Deer
(MDI) Operation Game Thief is working with the Maine Warden Service to apprehend the person or persons who illegally shot two deer at night on Mount Desert Island. They tell Star 97.7, a large buck was killed the night of October 5th or during the early morning hours of October 6th. Another buck was shot during the early morning hours of November 6th in the town of Tremont. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife says Mount Desert Island has long been closed to hunting and that hunting at night is both illegal and dangerous. In each case, a $2,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-ALERT-US.
(MDI) Authorities are offering up to $4,000 in rewards for information that leads the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who illegally shot two deer on Mount Desert Island. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries reports to Star 97.7, the first deer, a large buck, was shot during the overnight on October 5th -6th. A concerned citizen noticed it dead in a field and alerted the Maine Warden Service. A second buck was killed during the early morning hours of November 6th in the town of Tremont. Operation Game Thief is offering a $2,000 reward for information on each killing that leads to an arrest and conviction. MDI has long been closed to hunting, and authorities say hunting at night is both illegal and dangerous. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-ALERT-US.
Bangor Rolls Out New Website
(Bangor) The City of Bangor yesterday unveiled its new municipal website. The process of rolling out the site began in June, with a mass notification system now available at bangor maine dot gov. Residents are strongly encouraged to register on the new site and sign up for alerts and notifications. Even if you have previously subscribed on the current site, the City says you must activate a fresh registration on the new site.
(Bangor) Alerts, traffic notices, bus changes, and parking bans – those are just a few of the topics you can access on the City of Bangor’s new website, which went live yesterday. The process of rolling out the site began in June, with a mass notification system now available at bangor maine dot gov. Residents are strongly encouraged to register on the new site and sign up for alerts and notifications. The City says you must activate a fresh registration in order to stay updated, even if you have previously subscribed on the current site.
Economy
Downeast Institute Proposes Housing Campus
(Beals) The Downeast Institute in Beals recently lost two promising new researchers. The reason? The scientists couldn’t find affordable housing. In response, MaineBiz reports, the marine research lab on Great Wass Island has launched a campaign to raise $4M to support the institute’s housing, operations, and other capital priorities. The Institute began as a collaboration in 1987 when clam harvesters and town officials in six Washington County communities expressed concern about declines in soft-shell clam harvests. Today, the Center provides programming to thousands of K-12 students, college students, educators and others. The goal is to complete the campaign in the coming two years in order to attract top-notch researchers from around the globe.
(Beals) The Downeast Institute in Beals began nearly 40 years ago when clam harvesters and town officials in six Washington County communities expressed concern about declines in soft-shell clam harvests. Today, the facility located on Great Wass Island boasts a state-of-the art shellfish hatchery, along with specialty laboratories that provide programming to thousands of K-12 students, college students, educators and others. In spite of its attraction science-wise, MaineBiz reports the Institute has lost two promising new researchers in the past two years. The reason? An inability to find affordable housing. As a result, the marine research lab has launched a campaign to raise $4M to support housing, operations, and other capital priorities. The goal is to complete the campaign in the coming two years in order to attract top-notch researchers from around the globe.
Darling’s Acquires Van Syckle Kia
(Bangor) Darling’s Auto Group has acquired Van Syckle Kia in Bangor, expanding its family of dealerships on the Hogan Road in Bangor. Darling’s Kia joins eight other Darling’s dealerships located in Ellsworth, Bangor, Newport, Augusta and Brunswick. The dealership is now a fourth generation business employing over 600 people.
Education
Snow Days
(Maine) There’s no doubt winters are warming here. Still, it’s Maine – and that means at least several days of snow and ice that could make travel treacherous, especially for school children. Since the pandemic, school districts in Maine are warming to the idea of revising (or doing away with altogether) those beloved school snow days. During the pandemic, educators were forced to teach remotely, planting the seed that that could be the case on tricky travel days as well. The State requires all schools to be in session at least 175 days during the school year; but local school boards set snow day policies. Scarborough is setting aside just two snow days instead of the usual five; Portland three, and Augusta is implementing a flexible policy in which remote learning days can be designated before bad weather arrives. Star 97.7 spoke with both the Ellsworth School Department and MDI Schools, neither of which have changed their snow day policies – Ellsworth has 3 snow days built into their calendar, MDI five.
(Maine) There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned snow day. The kids cozy up under the covers and wake to hot chocolate and a day away from the rigors of traditional school learning. But we could soon be saying there’s no more old-fashioned snow days, period. The pandemic made us all aware of the possibility of remote learning; so even if the buses can’t get out, the teachers can get in a day of learning. Because the State requires at least 175 days each school year, extra snowy years have sometimes meant schools going well into the short summer here in Maine. But some school boards, which set snow day policies, are looking at options that include remote learning on certain snow days. The state still requires schools to provide meals on remote learning days, with districts like Augusta saying shelf-stable lunches would be sent home with students if storms are predicted that might impact in-person learning the following day. Star 97.7 checked with the Ellsworth School Department and MDI Schools, neither of which have implemented snow day policy changes. Ellsworth schools have three snow days built into their calendar, while MDI Schools have five.
Environment
MDMR Plans Preparedness Conversations
(Maine) Coastal communities suffered multiple devastating storms this past year, making it more critical than ever for working waterfronts to be prepared for future such events. The Maine Department of Marine Resources has planned a series of community conversations on preparedness and resilience in the face of climate change. The first meeting in Downeast Maine will be for those in Roque Bluffs, Machias, Cutler, Machiasport, Eastport and Lubec on December 10th from 5-7 at Washington Academy. A December 12th meeting will focus on Jonesport, Addison, and Beals and will be held at the Peabody Library in Jonesport. Other meetings are planned for the Milbridge, MDI, Blue Hill, and Winter Harbor areas. We’ve posted information on our Star 97.7 FB page.
(Maine) We all hope the storms that devastated the coastline in the past year are a thing of the past. Yet, working waterfronts know they have to count on that not being the case. The Department of Marine Resources has planned a series of community conversations on preparedness and resilience in the face of climate change for communities from Eastport and Lubec to Blue Hill and Brooklin. The first meeting will be held at Washington Academy from 5-7 p.m. on December 10th for the communities of Roque Bluffs, Machias, Cutler, Machiasport, Eastport and Lubec. We’ve posted a schedule of other community conversations, dates and times on our Star 97.7 FB page.
Leonid Meteor Showers
(Undated) Two meteor showers happening this fall – we just passed the peak for the Taurids, which we told you about earlier this month. Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Astronomy Center tells Star 97.7, tonight, look for the Leonids. (((Leonids “…we’re a few years out from a big storm for those.” :16))). That full Super Moon could hamper viewing a bit. We’ll have more on that in our news tomorrow.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Ellsworth Chamber Holiday Decorating Contest
(Ellsworth) It may seem early, but no one seems to mind that Christmas is in the air! The Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce invites local businesses to get in on the 2024 Holiday Decorating Contest. Bring on the color, lights, and fun! No theme, just holiday creativity at its best! Deadline to enter is Thursday, December 12th – email Kaitlyn Burpee at the Chamber. And don’t forget the Ellsworth Christmas Tree Lighting on November 30th, and the annual Christmas parade of lights on Saturday, December 7th, with the theme “Christmas in Toyland”. For information on the tree lighting or the parade, email Kim Fitch. We’ve posted both Kaitlyn’s and Kim’s contact information with this story on our Star 97.7 Local News page.
Kaitlyn Burpee – Ellsworth Chamber – [email protected]
Kim Fitch – [email protected]
Arbor Commission Tree Planting – Volunteers Needed
(Ellsworth) Grab the shovels and come play in the dirt! The Ellsworth Arbor Commission is kicking off their three-year tree planting program tomorrow, starting at 9 a.m. They’ll be planting eight trees along the verge of Route 3 near the Goodwill Store, and they could use volunteers! Wear sturdy footwear and bring shovels and rakes if you have them. Planting should take just a couple of hours. Come participate in something shady – for more information or to let them know you’re coming, email arbor commission at ellsworth maine dot gov.
Sports
The Celtics lost to the Hawks in a nail biter – Atlanta gets the 117-116 win. The Celtics in Brooklyn this evening to run the court with the Nets.
The Bruins beat the Blues last night in St. Louis 3-2. The Bruins are off tonight. They’ll be in Dallas tomorrow night, hoping to outshine the Stars.